Air quality alert issued as heat, humidity approach

BOSTON—The prediction of New England's first heat wave of the season is prompting an air quality alert.

Forecasters are predicting temperatures will soar into the 90s over the weekend in much of the six-state region, with the heat and high humidity expected to continue into Monday and Tuesday.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is predicting unhealthy air quality both Saturday and Sunday for all of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, as well as portions of New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

Robert Varney, administrator of EPA's New England office, says people should limit strenuous outdoor activity.

The EPA says it has lowered its ground-level ozone air quality health standard, which is likely to result in a higher number of air quality alert days this summer.